Zimmermann’s surgery was somewhat surprising: he finished the season seemingly in full health, but perhaps the surgery can fix some underlying issues that might have been bothering him behind the scenes.

Stewart complained of an abdominal strain late in the season and missed the final three games of the season. The Tigers are optimistic both players will be at full health for the start of spring training.

Onto a six-pack of questions in the latest Tigers mailbag:

What is the most optimistic development you saw for the Tigers this year leading into next year...and/or the next five years?

The team has made great strides in trying to catch up analytically, and though they remain old-school at the core, the numbers have made a difference: With more efficient defensive shifts this season, the Tigers saved more runs.

Optimism can only be judged by improvement, and I think the Tigers improved this season, though incrementally.

Do you think they will revamp their strength and conditioning program with all the core injuries?

It all depends what Fox Sports Detroit is looking for: Are they open to taking a risk on a young broadcaster, with the hopes of landing a young talent like the Dodgers’ Joe Davis or the White Sox’s Jason Benetti? Or do they want to stay local, and proven, perhaps moving Dan Dickerson from the radio booth or retaining Matt Shepard, who did an excellent job of filling in down the stretch?

FSD will open the search far and wide. Dickerson holds a more prestigious seat; he is one of the best in the business at calling games on the radio. But the Tigers have some potential replacements in the minor leagues in Erie’s Greg Gania and West Michigan’s Dan Hasty.

But perhaps more than anything, it depends on what kind of candidates are available. Many hidden gems of the past are among baseball broadcasting’s brightest stars.

A: I think it had some kind of an impact, but not enough to use it as an excuse.

James McCann showed up bigger to spring training; perhaps that was because his off-season workouts were altered because of the twins’ birth. It affected his defensive play behind the plate; most notably, he was slower to blocking balls to the right.

McCann just hasn’t developed like the Tigers would have hoped. I think it’s more likely than not that they don’t tender him a contract next season. Rival scouts seem split, though there is a belief that McCann is better than he’s showed himself to be.

The little things, though — pitch calling and framing — add up when there is no production at the plate.

Personally, I think the Tigers should be wary in losing that kind of experience behind the plate, but they might not think the difference between McCann and Grayson Greiner is worth upwards of $4 million.

How does the Tigers' rebuild timeline coincide with other Central rivals? Is the Tigers' plan better or do you forsee a future with the AL Central full of talented teams?

A: It’s hard to envision a future with the American League Central division full of talented teams. This was a rough season. How rough? The 98-loss Tigers finished in third place.

The AL Central division is still the Indians, for at least the next season, or perhaps two: Their pitching and overall talent dwarfs the rest of the division.

The White Sox and Twins are next closest. I’ll give the nod to Chicago because of their potential — Eloy Jimenez is arguably the best hitting prospect in the minor leagues and Dylan Cease is one of the top pitchers — and I think they are nearing the end of a lengthy rebuilding. The White Sox could be a force, and soon.

There’s just been something wrong with the Twins’ brew for quite some time. Perhaps manager Paul Molitor was it. Minnesota was banged up this season but has some impressive young talent coming along.

I’d put the Tigers a notch above the Royals, both years away from competing.

Chicago looms as the biggest threat for a division dynasty like the Indians have been and the Tigers once were.

Can you provide intel on where the tigers future 1b may be found? Draft? Free Agency?

As it stands, the Tigers don’t have an established prospect at first base. But they do have a number of middle infielders working their way through the system, including top prospect, Isaac Paredes, who has experience playing third base.

Paredes, 19, has yet to show a certain kind of conditioning to stay at shortstop.

Which brings us to third base and Jeimer Candelario, who has limited experience playing first base, but very much looks the part. Candelario is OK defensively, but his first step instincts need to improve.

If healthy, Miguel Cabrera will get the bulk of action at first base next season. But two years from now? I think it’s a good enough bet that Candelario moves across the diamond.

Also: First base is a very important and underrated defensive position.

First, the batting lineup. 1. Jeimer Candelario, 3B. Well, someone has to bat leadoff and in his first full season in the majors, he has shown power and the ability to draw a walk. Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports

8. Pete Kozma, SS: If Jose Iglesias is indeed done in Detroit, someone will have to play short. None of the prospects are likely ready, and, well, again, someone has to play there. Raj Mehta USA TODAY Sports

5. Spencer Turnbull: Much like shortstop, someone's gotta be the fifth man in the rotation. And just like shortstop, if they don't sign someone in hopes of flipping him for a prospect next summer, a guy who was mostly Mud Hen will likely get the first crack. Gregory Shamus, Getty Images